By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

GULF SHORES–Helena High School sophomore Kirsen Gardner can claim something that many high school sophomores can’t.

Gardner is now a two-time state champion after winning an individual shot put championship at the 93^rd AHSAA State Outdoor Track Championships on Friday, May 5. In February, Gardner also won the individual shot put championship at the AHSAA State Indoor Track Championships to take the titles.

With a throw of 37 feet 10.25 inches on May 5, Gardner won the girls 6A individual shot put championship by nearly a foot.

Gardner out threw Spanish Fort’s Alivia Busch by almost a foot as Busch finished in second place in 6A with a throw of 36 feet 10.5 inches.

Gardner’s teammate Erin Fuller finished in 12th place in the 6A shot put competition with a throw of 33 feet 11.25 inches.

Other notable finishes for Helena at the Outdoor Track Championships includes a third place finish in the boys 4X800 relay. The relay team consisted of Justin Ritondo Black Vaughn, Spencer Hodges and Jacob Lackey. Allison Tanner finished in second place in the girls 6A high jump, Justin Stuckey finished in fourth place in the boys 6A high jump, Jordan Wallace finished in sixth place for the 6A boys triple jump, Vaughn finished in fourth place in the 6A boys 3,200 meter run and Abigail Ford finished in sixth place in the 6A girls 3,200 meter run.